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Universal Light
Atmosphere by Kira Zeeman Rugen
Solis - Choir of the Sun: Artistic Director, Kira Zeeman Rugen Organ: Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler, Percussion: Sonja Branch
It does not take words to feel the wonder of the universe or the vast emptiness of space. It only takes a little bit of imagination while listening to the aural journey through the landscape of the sky beyond our atmosphere.
Starlight Night Text, Gerard Manley Hopkins Music, Anne Kilstofte
Solis - Choir of the Sun: Artistic Director, Kira Zeeman Rugen
Stars are eternal images of life, love, hope, and redemption. Gerard Manley Hopkins, one of my favorite poets, uses words that make just speaking (or singing) them sensuous, textural, and expressive, and yet alludes to sacred hope as well. For example, he plays with the words "Glow," and "Glory" as the thunder grows, breaks, and rumbles away; the words "Kiss, Kiss my hand to the dappled-with-damson west" and "bless when I understand - lovely asunder starlight" suggests the imagery of what a starlight night might convey to us. - Anne Kilstofte
Look at the stars!
I kiss my hand
To the stars, lovely-asunder Starlight, wafting him out of it; and Glow, glory in thunder; Kiss my hand to the dappled-with-damson west: Since, tho' he is under the world's splendour and wonder, His mystery must be instressed, stressed; For I greet him the days I meet him, and bless when I understand. Look at the stars
And bless when I understand Lovely asunder starlight.
Light of the Seven by Ramin Djawadi from Game of Thrones arr. Kira Zeeman Rugen
Solis - Choir of the Sun: Artistic Director, Kira Zeeman Rugen
Soloists: Adrienne Goglia, Ben Shafer
Written by
Djawadi for the HBO series Game of Thrones, this piece was originally intended as a passacaglia for piano, organ, strings, and two boy soloists. Kira Rugen’s arrangement takes those haunting sounds that so engaged fans of the HBO series to the next level of mysteriousness by setting the music to evocative colors made by the human voice.
Water
RaminGrounded in Earth
As sung by the Real Group, by Anders Edenroth
Solis - Choir of the Sun: Artistic Director, Kira Zeeman Rugen
This innovative work from Anders Edenroth provides a poetic and philosophical perspective on the transparent matter so essential to the survival of every living creature. This composition goes beyond music, allowing singers and audiences to reflect on this deep message. The use of tuned water bottles provides both an interesting soundscape and a visual reminder of the importance of water to human life.
Water
In the mind of a melting snowman, In the sound from a whistling kettle
In the gently a-lighting crystal of ice, In the dewdrops of a colourful petal.
Water
To live, everyone must have water, To give, not to deny each other, To bring from source to mouth just like The food of love from a nursing mother.
Water
Sweet as an angel’s kiss, Salt as her falling tears, Droplets in patience wearing away The mountain of time for billions of years.
Do, do, do, do
In the shape of a cloud evolving, In the gleam when your skin perspires, In the curse, of a lost and foundering ship, In the silent face Narcissus admires.
Water
To kill, for in a global battle, To chill, well in a plastic bottle, To find between air and earth
Both cold and wet says Aristotle.
Water Mild as a mermaid’s song Wild when the oceans roar, Never been born and never been buried, Infinite waves caressing the shore.
Water
Earth Teach Me
Text by Nancy Wood, by Kira Zeeman Rugen
Solis - Choir of the Sun: Artistic Director, Kira Zeeman Rugen
Soloist: Leslie Ellingson
Violin 1: Debbie Youngerman
Violin 2: Marj Sherman
Viola: Leah Lamont
Cello: Moria Bogardus
Bass: Chris Ross
Pianist: Mary Wagner
Inspired by New Mexico’s poet Nancy Wood’s deep spiritual connection to nature, Kira Rugen composed this piece which paints the beauty of natural vistas found around the world. The melodies and harmonies tell the story of the lessons we can learn from ancient wisdom and elements of wonder and patience we can learn from Mother Earth.
Earth teach me stillness
As the grasses are stilled with light. Earth teach me suffering
As old stones suffer with memory. Earth teach me humility
As blossoms are humble with beginning. Earth teach me caring
As the mother who secures her young. Earth teach me courage
As the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me limitation
As the ant who crawls on the ground. Earth teach me freedom
As the eagle who soars in the sky. Earth teach me resignation
As the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me regeneration
As the seed which rises in spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself
As melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me to remember kindness
As dry fields weep with rain.
Seasons of Darkness and Loss
Dies Irae (Ancient Requiem Mass Chant) arr. Kira Zeeman Rugen
Scottsdale Community College Concert Choir: Conductor, Kira Zeeman Rugen
Organ - Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler
One of the most famous chants of all time, Dies Irae comes from the Requiem Mass for the Dead. Humanity has been fascinated with this melody over the ages. The bones of this tune are littered in musicals and films from the 20th and 21st centuries: Sweeny Todd, RENT, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and The Lion King. As a society, we subconsciously associate this eight-note motive with sadness, loss, death, and tragedy.
Dies irae, dies illa solvet saeclum in favilla, teste David cum Sibylla.
Quantus tremor est futurus, quando iudex est venturus, cuncta stricte discussurus?
A day of wrath: that day, It will dissolve the world into glowing ashes, As attested by David together with Sybyl.
What trembling there will be, When the Judge shall come To examine everything in strict justice
Tuba mirum spargens sonum, per sepulchra regionum, coget omnes ante thronum.
Pie Jesu, Domine AmenThe trumpet’s wondrous call sounding abroad In tombs throughout the world Shall drive everybody forward to the throne.
Merciful Lord Jesus, Grant them rest, Amen.
Hold On Text by Nancy Wood, by Kira Zeeman Rugen
Solis - Choir of the Sun: Artistic Director, Kira Zeeman Rugen
Scottsdale Community College Concert Choir
Phoenix Children's Chorus - Cadenza: Conductor, Katherine Rosenfeld
Violin 1: Debbie Youngerman
Violin 2: Marj Sherman
Viola: Leah Lamont
Cello: Moria Bogardus
Bass: Chris Ross
Pianist: Mary Wagner
Kira Rugen wrote “Hold On” in memory of the many humans no longer living with us due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our communities experienced tremendous grief at the loss of so many loved ones, but we also suffered from confusion, depression, and profound sadness at the reality of our collective mortality. Yet in the text “Hold On” written by Nancy Wood, she encourages us to hold on to the precious moments in life, even in the midst of strife, as there is always beauty and joy to look forward to. The primary melody is sung by a children's choir, representing the hope of our future, making this message even more poignant.
Hold on to what is good even if it is a handful of earth. Hold on to what you believe even if it is a tree which stands by itself. Hold on to what you must do even if it is a long way from here. Hold on to life even when it is easier letting go. Hold on to my hand even when I have gone away from you.
Fix You
As sung by Coldplay, Arr. George Chung
Solis - Choir of the Sun: Artistic Director, Kira Zeeman Rugen
Scottsdale Community College Concert Choir:
Conductor, Kira Zeeman Rugen
Phoenix Children's Chorus - Encore: Conductor, Troy Meeker
Violin 1: Debbie Youngerman
Violin 2: Marj Sherman
Viola: Leah Lamont
Cello: Moria Bogardus
Bass: Chris Ross
Percussion: Sonja Branch
Pianist: Mary Wagner
In 2005, Chris Martin, the lead singer to the band Coldplay, composed this piece for the grief his then wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, was suffering with because of the death of her father. The song describes the wish we have to help others move through hard times by offering encouragement, and a promise to stand together through difficult trials.
When you try your best but you don’t succeed. When you get what you want but not what you need When you feel so tired, but you can’t sleep Stuck in reverse
And the tears come streaming down your face. When you lose something you can’t replace. When you love someone but it goes to waste. Could it be worse?
Lights will guide you home. And ignite your bones, And I will try To fix you.
And High up above or down below, When you’re too in love to let it go, But if you never try you’ll never know Just what you’re worth.
Lights will guide you home And ignite your bones,
And I will try To fix you.
Tears stream down your face, When you lose something you cannot replace. Tears stream down your face, And I 2x
Lights will guide you home And ignite your bones, And I will try To fix you.
~Intermission~
Finding Hope
Hosanna by Brent Pierce
Phoenix Children's Chorus - Encore: Conductor, Troy Meeker
Hosanna in Excelsis is a chorale fanfare set to the text of the Credo & Benedictus in the Roman Catholic Mass. Written by American composer Brent Pierce, a resident arranger for Disneyland Parks, the song offers musical variations while repeating the short text. The diverse compositional approaches enhance the meaning of the phrase similar to the change of a tone of voice when repeating text.
Hosanna in excelsis……………………Hosanna in the highest
Ngothando by Mbuso Ndlovu
Phoenix Children's Chorus - Encore: Conductor, Troy Meeker
Percussion: Sonja Branch
Original Poems:
Samantha Hanson – Poem
Maggie Leitch – English and American Sign Language
Isabella San Pablo – Tagalog
Ngothando is a message to the rest of the world that it is only through love that we can conquer the barriers that stand between us, the poverty and disease that surround us. Let's open our hearts and not fear the unknown. Let's search deep within ourselves, knowing that we do have enough resources. At the composer’s suggestion, an original poem was written and will be performed in various languages by members of the choir.
Ngothando kuphela, Sonqoba konke, Izimo zonke, Azinakusigwinya.
Sivul’ iinhliziyo zethu
Singesa bi lutho, Ngothando…
Through love, only, We will conquer everything, All situations, Cannot swallow (divide us) Let us open our hearts, And let us fear nothing Through love…
I Live and Yet Not I
Text, Jeanne Guyon, by Denice Rippentrop
Solis - Choir of the Sun: Artistic Director, Kira Zeeman Rugen
Jeanne Guyon (1648-1717) wrote the text "I Live, and Yet Not I." She was known in her writings as having a mystical union with God. Ms. Guyon based her text on Galatians 2:20. Throughout the piece, this unspeakable spiritual freedom with Christ living in the soul of the believer soars and dwells in the One Who is the All in All, giving the believer peace, joy, and new life. -
Denice RippentropI live, and yet not I! Christ lives in me! The freedom to be carried About on eagle’s wings Brings you the heart of God. Jesus gives your spirit freedom to soar And dwell in God. Give yourself up And you will find unspeakable freedom in the One who is All.
Sisi Ni Moya by Jacob NaverudPhoenix Children's Chorus - Cadenza: Conductor, Katherine Rosenfeld
Pianist: Jennifer Griffith
Percussion: Sonja Branch
Narverud’s Sisi Ni Moya (We are One) is a celebration of unity. This rhythmic work creates a sense of joy as many gather to celebrate commonalities found throughout humanity.
We all laugh, we all cry, we all feel hunger, we all feel pain. We all love, we all hate, we all hope, and we all dream. We are one world, one people. And we all breathe the same. A tribe of many languages, a group of many heartaches, fighting for peace among the land.
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja. Heja, heja, we are one.
We all want, we all need, we all seek passion, we all seek joy. We all bruise, we all scar, we all fail, but learn to thrive. We are one world, one people. And we all breathe the same. In the darkness of the night and in the glory of the morning, we walk along the path and find our way.
Now we stand here together and lift our hearts in song to the rhythm of this moment in our lives: Heja, heja, sisi ni moja. Heja, heja, we are one.
Living in Love and Joy
We Dance from “Once on this Island” arr. Andy Beck
Scottsdale Community College Concert Choir: Conductor, Kira Zeeman Rugen
Soloists: Neve Galusha, Emmalyse Lajoie
Percussion: Sonja Branch
This joyous song is filled with positive emotions and agile rhythms. These words emphasize that no matter what forces exert their power outside our control, we can still live our lives to the fullest by celebrating happiness through song and dance.
Asaka, grow me a garden. Please, Agwe, don’t flood my garden. Erzulie, who will my love be? Papa Ge don’t come around me! We dance to the music of the gods.
The music of the breezes through the green plantain, The murmur of the river and the roar of rain. And if the gods decide to send a hurricane:
We Dance to the earth, we dance to the water, The gods awake and we take no chance. Our hearts hear the song, Our feet move along, And to the music of the gods, We Dance, to their ever changing moods.
We know the gods are happy when the green things grow. They’re angry when the river starts to overflow. And since we never know which way their winds will blow:
We Dance to the earth, we dance to the water, The gods awake and we take no chance. Our hearts hear the song, Our feet move along, And to the music of the gods, We Dance.
Butterfly as sung by Rajaton, by Mia Makaroff Solis - Choir of the Sun: Artistic Director, Kira Zeeman Rugen
The life-cycle of a butterfly is a short and sweet four weeks. And yet, these beautiful insect’s lives are filled with brightly colored wings, playing, soaring, and exuberance. This song reminds us that no matter how short our lives may feel, there is great joy to be found in simple and playful moments with the people you love.
Sweet is the sound of my newborn wings
I stretch them open and let them dry
I haven't seen this world before But I'm excused
I'm a butterfly
Sweet is the touch of your newborn wings
We fly in circles
We play with the sun
We haven't seen this world before So fair, so bright, so blue the sky
Love me
Love me on the leaves
Before we say goodbye (before we say goodbye)
Love me
Kiss me with the breeze
You will be my lullaby (my lullaby)
Tomorrow I'll die (tomorrow I'll die)
Tomorrow I'll die (tomorrow I'll die)
Tomorrow I'll die (tomorrow I'll die)
Tomorrow I'll die (tomorrow I shall die)
You'll be my lullaby (and you'll be my lullaby)
Love me
Kiss me with the breeze
Kiss me with the breeze
Kiss me with the breeze
Love me
Love me on the leaves
Love me
Love me
Love me
Love me on the leaves
Before we say goodbye (before we say goodbye)
Love me
Kiss me with the breeze
You'll be my lullaby
Tomorrow I'll die
Sweet is the wind as it gently blows
The day away and the nighttime comes
Great are the wonders that silence shows
I fall asleep and dream of the sun
And my butterfly
Takerita by Reena Esmail
Phoenix Children's Chorus - Encore: Conductor, Troy Meeker
This vibrant and joyful song is set in the raga Jog (an Indian classical melodic framework) which incorporates both major and minor modalities into a single scale. This text is based on sounds the Indian drum, the tabla, makes, called “bols” — they are onomatopoeic sounds that imitate the sound of the drum. The result is something like a scat would be in jazz –ecstatic, energetic, rhythmic music that feels good on the tongue.
Your Soul is Song Text by Germán Aguilar, by Jake Runestad
Phoenix Children's Chorus - Encore: Conductor, Troy Meeker
Pianist: Caia O’Toole
Your Soul is Song is set to a poem by Germán Aguilar. Germán was a beautiful light in the Arizona choral community. He graduated from Rincon-University High School and Northern Arizona University, and taught at Mesa High School. His unexpected passing in the summer of 2014 rocked our community and all the lives he had touched as an educator and friend. After a difficult time in his life, Germán wrote this poem – a plea to the power of song and weathering the storms of life. His words remind us that souls are not meant to break, but to rise and reignite.
Sing!
When the seams burst, and the traps ensnare, and your body breaks, and the light flees— Sing then!
For then, your soul is song.
Hello Fear by Kirk Franklin
Solis - Choir of the Sun: Artistic Director, Kira Zeeman Rugen
Scottsdale Community College Concert Choir:
Conductor, Kira Zeeman Rugen
Phoenix Children's Chorus - Encore: Conductor, Troy Meeker
Violin 1: Debbie Youngerman
Violin 2: Marj Sherman
Viola: Leah Lamont
Cello: Moria Bogardus
Bass: Chris Ross
Percussion: Sonja Branch
Pianist: Mary Wagner
Intended as a real conversation between composer/songwriter Kirk Franklin and his relationship with fear, this down-to-earth goodbye gospel song speaks to fear like a naughty child that needs to stop misbehaving. Instead of giving in, this song offers an empowering anthem for change. In that renewed perspective, grace took fear’s place, giving humans a sense of universal forgiveness, love, and an honoring of the goodness that comes from within.
Hello fear
Before you sit down there's something I need to explain Since you're here
I think I should tell you since we last talked things have changed See I'm tired of being brokenhearted So I made a list and you're on it
All my hopes and my dreams you took from me I want those back before you leave
Hello fear
I knew I would see you You have a hard time letting go See these tears, Take a good look 'cause soon they won't fall anymore God's healing my hurtful places
That seat that was yours now is taken I'm no longer afraid, see I'm better this way And one more thing before you leave
Never again will I love you
My heart it refuses to be your home
No longer your prisoner
Today I remember
Apart from you is where I belong
And never again will I trust you
I'm tired of fighting it's been way too long
No longer your prisoner
Today I remember
Who I was and now it's gone
They're gone, hello fear
Da da da da da, da da da da da da da
Farewell, goodbye, so long Farewell, goodbye, so long Farewell, goodbye, so long
Hello grace
It feels like forever, I thought my chance with you was gone See your face, it reminds me of mercy
And please let me say I was wrong Never knew your touch was endless How you never run dry of forgiveness
Didn't know how bad it was, was afraid just because Sorry fear, grace took your place
Never again will I love you My heart it refuses to be your home
No longer your prisoner
Today I remember
Apart from you is where I belong
And never again will I trust you I'm tired of fighting it's been way too long No longer your prisoner
Today I remember Who I was and now it's gone
Farewell, goodbye, so long
Hello fear
Before you sit down there's something I need to explain
